Cards aiming for daylight at the top of the table

Oxford City vs Woking
Vanarama National League South
Tuesday 12th March 2019

The Cards will be looking to move three points clear at the top of the National League South table on Tuesday evening when they travel to Oxford City.

On Saturday, Woking and title rivals Torquay United stayed level on points after Alan Dowson’s side picked up a comfortable 2-0 home win over Chippenham Town, a fourth consecutive victory at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, whilst the Gulls won by the same scoreline at Billericay Town. But with the Devon-based side not in action again until next weekend the Cards have the opportunity to put the pressure on by moving clear at the summit. In order to do so they’ll need to overcome some mixed recent results away from home, with just two wins in five league games since the turn of the year, including a disappointing draw with struggling Hungerford Town ten days ago.

Oxford have had a reasonable season thus far and remain on track to improve upon last season’s 16th place finish. They currently sit in 13th place with 41 points from 33 games, with 12 wins, 5 draws and 16 defeats. They have scored an impressive 51 goals, 18 of them from star striker Kabongo Tshimanga, although they have also conceded 52 – only one top-half team, Chippenham, has conceded more. Their recent form is poor with just four points from their last ten league games, dating back to the turn of the year, whilst their eight defeats have included a 7-2 mauling at Torquay and last Saturday’s 5-3 thriller at home to Hampton and Richmond. Further disappointment against the likes of Hungerford, Gloucester and Truro have derailed what was a potential play-off campaign.

This is a game which promises goals so we hope that as many fans as possible will make the journey and, hopefully, enjoy an entertaining match-up.

Woking Team News

Dowse’s biggest selection issues are likely to be up front. Jake Hyde, who moved to 14 goals in all competitions with his brace on Saturday but went off with a slight injury reoccurrence at half-time, is unlikely to feature on the artificial surface. Harvey Bradbury is the most natural replacement but the Woking boss could also opt to play Greg Luer, utilised on the right of the front four against Chippenham, through the middle. Reise Allassani, Max Kretzschmar and a returning Paul Hodges, an unused substitute last time out, could then be a natural attacking trio.

The Cards will once again be sweating on the fitness of midfielder Armani Little, man-of-the-match against Chippenham, who was forced off early for the second game in a row – this time with a shoulder injury. His blooming partnership with new signing Olu Durojaiye has been highly promising over the last few weeks but Dowse knows he also has the vastly experienced Christian Jolley to call upon too. In defence, the back five looks likely to pick itself, although Jack Cook will no doubt be keen to state his case for a recall should anyone be carrying a slight knock.

Oxford City Team News

Against Dowse’s former club Hampton, manager Mark Jones selected Steven Caro in goal, with a back four of Eddie Jones, Hereford United loanee Joel Dielna, Tarik Moore-Azille and former Torquay and Aldershot man Joe Oastler; in midfield was Josh Ashby, signed from city rivals Oxford United last summer, and Jack Self, while out wide were Kyran Wiltshire and Owen James; up front was top scorer Tshimanga and Brandon Thomas-Asante, on loan from MK Dons.

There are a couple of former Woking players in the squad – Bobson Bawling was an unused substitute against Hampton, whilst Ben Jefford, sent-off at Kingfield earlier this season, is also part of the Oxford setup.

On the Day

Court Place Farm can be found on Marsh Lane; the postcode is OX3 0NQ – a drive of around one hour from the Laithwaite Community Stadium. The nearest station is Oxford which is around a 15-minute taxi journey from the ground.

Supporters can also book a place on the travelling club coach which departs at 4.00pm. The cost for trust members is £10 adults and £5 for under-16s – with a £5 increase for non-members. To book your place please contact Adam Bowyer (adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk) or call the club shop.

Matchday ticket prices are £12 for adults, £6 for concessions and £3 for under-16s.

Next Up

The Cards are on the road again on Saturday when they travel to Welling United. Our next home game is the following Saturday against Slough Town before an important trip to Bath City to end our March fixture list.